Hesperornis escapes plesiosaur attack

Evidence from the Pierre Shale (Late Cretaceous) of South Dakota is presented for an attack on a juvenile Hesperornis by a polycotylid plesiosaur. The wound healed and the Hesperornis grew to maturity. Evidence of survival provides our best information about predator prey interactions in the fossil record but are rare for birds where survival is an unlikely outcome.     

渝东南下古生界页岩构造裂缝形成及分布控制因素

天然裂缝对页岩气储集和渗流有重要影响,但目前对页岩构造裂缝研究不够深入。本文通过露头、岩心裂缝观察和分析,探讨了渝东南下古生界页岩构造裂缝类型、形成机理及分布控制因素。基于裂缝特征及力学成因,将剪切裂缝分为高角度剪切裂缝、倾斜滑脱裂缝和水平滑脱裂缝。倾斜滑脱裂缝是在上覆岩层重力和水平构造应力共同作用下沿应力集中的软弱面发生剪切滑动形成,水平滑脱裂缝是在构造挤压应力作用条件下主要沿页理面方向的剪切或层间滑动形成;页理发育程度及岩层曲率是控制水平滑脱裂缝形成的关键因素,岩石矿物组成、构造作用及岩层厚度是控制其它类型构造裂缝形成和分布的主要因素,页岩岩石力学层的划分需要根据裂缝特征、岩性变化特征、岩石力学参数及沉积界面等综合确定,岩层厚度与层间构造裂缝密度呈负相关关系。     

A comparison of black claystones,lignites and dump materials from the Maritsa Iztok Coal Basin,Bulgaria, using organic geochemical proxies

Geochemical analysis of dump materials from the opencast Maritsa Iztok mines, Bulgaria, was carried out based on biomarker assemblages of hydrocarbon fractions. Organic matter (OM) and secondary transformations in three representative samples (massive black claystones and materials from the Iztok and Staroselets dump sites) were studied using geochemical proxies.A number of differences were recognised in the respective OM compositions of the samples compared to both published data and between the individual dump samples themselves. The ОM of the studied samples was found to be polar, but also contains some apolar compounds. It consists mainly of resins and asphalthenes. Claystone OM is of the dispersed type, with intense oxidative-reductive interactions in a lacustrine environment resulting in its transformation into an inert material. Dump sample kerogen is of Type II and mixed Type II/III. In all samples, “odd” numbered n-alkanes are found in higher amounts. Diterpenoids (С₁₉, С₂₀) with pimarane, abietane and phyllocladane skeletons are preponderant. Tri- and tetracyclic terpenoids and steranes have been identified in the black claystones OM only. Hopanes are present in low amounts in extractable OM from all three samples. Biomarkers indicate that black claystone OM is formed from aqueous flora, with a minor supply of gymnosperms (mainly G. Sequoia). Iztok Dump OM is structured by higher plants with an aqueous vegetation input. The Staroselets Dump OM formation is assigned to an active microbial reworking of aqueous vegetation and bacteria with a minor coniferous supply. Different geochemical parameters admit anoxic stratified bottom waters for the black claystones with an addition of deep water stagnation for Staroselets sample in a Maritsa Iztok Basin (MIB) aqueous environment.An attempt was also made to track the effect of secondary processes (oxidation, destruction, dearomatisation), temperature, water drainage and wash-out on dump materials. Leaching and weak degradation processes in the MIB dump environment are likely for a time span of ca. 40–50 years, considering the low percentage of short-chain n-alkanes, long-chain prevalence and low Pr/nC₁₇ and Ph/nC₁₈ ratios, with the Iztok Dump sample experiencing more advanced transformations.     

昭通示范区黄金坝气田五峰—龙马溪组页岩气储层地质特征

昭通国家级页岩气示范区黄金坝气田是继礁石坝和长宁—威远之后中国又一个在页岩气勘探、开发领域实现重大突破的地区,为了系统地展示黄金坝气田页岩气资源富集的储层条件,为未来的勘探工作提供参考,以五峰—龙马溪组页岩气储层为研究对象,从区域地质条件、储层岩石学、物性和地球化学4个方面对该页岩气储层进行了综合研究。结果表明稳定的区域构造和良好的顶底板条件是黄金坝地区页岩气资源富集的关键,良好的保存条件使储层维持了较高的压力(压力系数1);较高的孔隙度(平均4%)和TOC含量(目的层2%)提供了良好的储集空间,使储层具有较高的含气量(1.35~3.48 cm3/g,平均2.50 cm3/g);天然气地球化学数据表明,区内天然气主要成分为CH4(97%),其次还含有少量的C2H6、C3H8和CO2;天然气同位素数据表明烃类C同位素组成发生了倒转,表明储层具有良好的封闭性。但储层孔隙系统较为复杂,且非均质性极强,从而导致渗透率较低,在储层改造施工过程中应予以充分考虑。总体上,黄金坝气田具有较好的开发前景,生产测试表明,区内直井压裂产量为0.5×104~3.5×104m3/d/井,水平井压裂产量可达12×104~40×104m3/d/井。     

Paleo-redox depositional conditions inferred from trace metal accumulation in two Cretaceous-Paleocene organic-rich sequences from Central Egypt

Cretaceous-Paleocene organic-rich sediments in Egypt occur as an east-west trending belt extending from the Quseir-Safaga district (Red Sea) to the Kharga-Dakhla (Western Desert) region. They are associated with the Duwi Formation (phosphate-bearing) and the overlying Dakhla Formation (deeper epicontinental shale/marl). This study aims to reconstruct the paleo-redox conditions during deposition of these thermally immature organic-rich sediments using carbon-sulfur-iron systematics and trace metal proxies in two cores, one each from the Quseir and Abu Tartur areas. Paleoproductivity, based on P content, seems to have been higher in the Quseir section than in the Abu Tartur section. The Quseir section also records a relatively greater occurrence of anoxic conditions during the accumulation of these sediments than the Abu Tartur section. This difference is indicated by its markedly higher total organic carbon (TOC) content as well as higher contributions of redox-sensitive and sulfide-forming metals (Mo, U, Ni, V, and Co). A weak correlation exists between S and TOC, and a positive S intercept (>1) was observed in most of the rock units of the study sections. A high consistency between the TOC-S-Fe relations and trace metals findings was found. The uppermost Duwi and the lowermost Dakhla strata, which have the highest TOC and represent a maximum sea transgression during the Late Cretaceous, have the highest contents of redox-sensitive trace metals. The carbonate-dominated transgressive Baris and Beida members of the Dakhla Formation record relatively stronger oxygen-depleted conditions during their accumulation than others, which led to relatively higher TOC contents and redox-sensitive metal accumulations. A scenario for the environmental conditions that existed during the deposition of these organic-rich successions, based on compiled trace metals and TOC-S-Fe implications, is reconstructed here.     

Geochemical characteristics of the Paleogene shales in the Dongying depression,eastern China

Fluctuations in lacustrine sedimentary environments significantly affect distributions of organic matter (OM), uranium, and other elements in shales. In this study a high-resolution geochemical record of fluctuations in the paleo-depositional environment of a terrestrial lake basin is provided on the basis of extensive samples collected from the Member 3 of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation (Es₃) of the Niu-38 well in the Dongying Depression, Eastern China. These samples were tested for total organic carbon (TOC), element concentrations, and biomarkers to study the evolution and fluctuation in the depositional environments of an ancient lake basin and associated geochemical response. The evolution and fluctuation of the sedimentary environment from a deep lake to a semi-deep lake and then to a shallow lake delta were indicated by geochemical response. During this evolution, the values of TOC, S₁, S₂, Sr, and Ts/(Ts + Tm) remarkably decreased, whereas those of Co, Ni, Rb, Na, Fe/Mn, Fe/(Ca + Mg), and C₂₉ mortane/C₂₉ hopane significantly increased. The deep lake basin shows depositional fluctuations, as indicated by rock lithofacies and their geochemical parameters. A close interrelationship was observed among U concentration, TOC content, and inorganic element content. Uranium concentrations are positively correlated with TOC contents, Ca and Sr concentrations, and Sr/Ba and Ca/Mg ratios but negatively with K, Na, Ba, and Rb contents and Fe/(Ca + Mg) and Fe/Mn ratios. The observed increase in U concentration in the lower Es₃ section is closely related to surface adsorption by clay minerals and OM, together with some replacements of Ca and Sr by U in the shales.     

The evolution of the Huangling uplift and its control on the accumulation and preservation of shale gas

There are plenty of Sinian and Cambrian potential shale gas resources in South China, which is characterized by high thermal evolution degrees, poor drilling performances and only occurs in local areas. Taking the principle “high to find low” is the key issue to achieving a breakthrough in older shale. China Geological Survey drilled in the periphery of the Proterozoic basement, i.e. the Huangling anticline, in the western Hubei, and Hannan paleocontinent in the southern Shanxi. It received high-quality gas-bearing shale with relatively low Ro in the in Lower Cambrian Niutitang formation and Sinian Doushantuo formation. Based on geological conditions of shale gas reservoirs in the Huangling anticline, this paper puts forward the new model named “Control over reservoirs by periphery of basement” about shale gas accumulation, suggesting that the shale deposited in a deepwater continental shelf in the periphery of the basement is characterized by shallow burial, a short burial time, stable tectonics, relatively low thermal evolution degrees, and shale gas reservoirs in a good condition. The shale of the Sinian-Cambrian strata deposited in deepwater continental shelves in the periphery of Chuanzhong paleo-uplift in Sichuan, Hannan paleocontinent in the southern Shanxi, Huangling anticline in western Hubei and Jiangnang-Xuefeng paleo-uplift in Hunan and Guizhou province have good shale gas exploration potential.     

Geochemistry of organic matter and elements of black shale during weathering in Northern Guizhou,Southwestern China: Their mobilization and inter-connection

Different from previous studies on effect of weathering upon geochemical variation along a single weathered profile, this paper provides a new methodology validated by comparing a weathered outcrop samples and their stratigraphic counterpart un-weathered core samples in a nearby shallow borehole. This outcrop and borehole penetrated the Ordovician-Silurian Wufeng–Longmaxi shales, located in the same anticline structure in the northern part of Guizhou Province, Southern China. The mineral composition, major, trace and rare earth elements (REEs) composition and Rock-Eval parameters of outcrop and core samples were analyzed and compared. Organic matter (OM) was observed in the microscope and extracted for elements analysis. The results show that short-term weathering still has significant influence on OM, mineral and elemental composition of black shales. The elements composition shows the outcrop profile was moderately weathered. The REEs compositions do not alter much during weathering process and the REEs composition and their relative ratios still are valid for rock origin determination. The OM, mainly composed by graptolite and bitumen, even entering the highly-over thermal maturity, is still sensitive to the weathering with a systematic loss 30–50% of TOC along the outcrop profile, which suggests that the OM consumption is predominantly controlled by weathering duration and the distance from the weathering surface. In turn, OM has significant influence on the trace elements transportation behavior during weathering. Some trace elements associated with the OM such as V, Cr, Th, U, Ni and Co, change significantly in their absolute concentration during weathering, but their relative ratios do not necessarily change too much and might be still reliable proxies for paleo-environmental determination. The mobility of shale minerals during weathering is in the following order: plagioclase?>?potassium feldspar and dolomite >pyrite and OM. Short-term weathering can also result in considerable transportation of elements and significant variation of minerals content in black shale, which may pose potentially high environmental and engineering risk in the regions rich in black shale.     

川东南丁山地区龙马溪组页岩裂缝特征及对含气性的影响

川东南丁山地区是近年来四川盆地页岩气勘探开发的热点区域,裂缝的发育对页岩含气性及保存条件有重要的影响。综合运用野外露头、岩心、测井资料,结合岩石脆性矿物含量、岩石力学参数等数据,深入分析龙马溪组页岩裂缝发育特征和控制因素,并探讨了裂缝发育对含气性的影响。结果表明,丁山地区龙马溪组页岩裂缝主要以构造成因的剪切缝为主,裂缝优势方位共6组,主要包括4组平面剪切缝和2组剖面剪切缝,其发育主要受2个方向、3个阶段的构造应力场影响而成;裂缝延伸稳定,平均密度小,宽度小,充填程度高,主要被方解石和黄铁矿等充填。裂缝受控因素主要包括古构造应力场、构造部位、脆性矿物组分、岩石力学性质等;断层对裂缝发育具有明显的控制作用,其中断层两盘均存在裂缝发育程度急剧下降的临界范围,临界范围内裂缝发育程度高,超过此临界范围,裂缝发育程度变差且变化趋于平缓;不同期次的裂缝中,形成时间晚、规模过大、充填程度不高、与现今地应力方向一致或呈低角度相交的裂缝易造成页岩气的散失,对提高页岩含气性不利;龙马溪组岩石脆性矿物含量高,脆性指数属中等偏上程度,有利于构造缝发育且可压性较好。随着距齐岳山断裂距离的适当增加,龙马溪组页岩埋藏深度适中,地层压力增大,抗压强度增强高,脆性指数适中,构造保存条件变好,有利于不同方位的裂缝发育和页岩含气量的增加,位于该区域的DY2井与DY4井均位于该有利区域,含气性良好。研究结果对下一步深化页岩气勘探开发具有重要指导作用。     

基于神经网络的页岩微纳米孔隙微结构分析的正则化和最优化方法

页岩气成藏机理与页岩内部孔隙结构紧密相关,对页岩孔隙结构的研究成为页岩气勘探开发技术中至关重要的一环。页岩内部不同结构体组分对X-射线的吸收能谱不一样,这样就导致观测数据是由不同页岩组分衰减不同波段的X-射线构成的。经过对CT图像分割,能够获得页岩微孔结构的图像,尤其是获得有机质中孔隙类别、形状、尺寸、空间分布、连通特性。本文利用同步辐射X射线扫描重构的页岩CT数据,研究并设计基于多能CT图像的神经网络图像分割技术和算法,以期得到页岩体三维结构特征及空间分布,可以为建立有机质种类和无机矿物组成与微纳孔隙特征的联系以及最终实现页岩气的资源储量评估和勘探开发提供技术支持。